Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW

Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Sunday, 25^th August 2024
With picture contributions to 10780 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (7 more images)

Only members may add pictures, click to receive free membership

Detail Pages

Pub map
Pub reviews (6)
Pub pictures (8)
Page updates

The Bell, Bicester

84 Sheep Street
Bicester
OX26 6LP

Correct details

Pub Type

Punch Taverns

Served areas

Bicester Central

Reviews of The Bell (Average Rating: 5 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Strongers . left this review about The Bell

To the left of the entrance to the Bell is a well-trodden wooden floor with pew seating and old wooden tables. Towards the rear is a step up to a flagstone floored bar with a wood panelled serving counter up the right and tables up the left. another step leads up to a raised seating area at the rear where an exposed brock fireplace and dartboard sit on the rear wall. I popped my head into the empty right-hand bar to find a pool table and more seating. Regular live music is advertised, this does feel like a live rock/metal music venue. The service was friendly and there was a good crowd of friendly locals sat around the counter. The three hand pumps were drawing JW Lees Dragon Fire, Castle Rock’s Elsie Mo and Animal XT Brewing’s Hop Kitty. Premium keg was also available alongside Fosters. This isn’t the most comfortable pub, but I was made to feel welcome so I’d pop back in again if passing.

On 13^th October 2024 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Bell

This no frills boozer at the edge of Bicester's pedestrianized area was the last to open yesterday. However, despite arriving shortly after its 4pm opening, somebody else had managed to beat me in.

I was welcomed by a barking dog. But then so were everybody else. A few people were arriving with instruments. Whilst they didn't appear to be part of a band, the pub clearly has a focus on live music.

There are 2 large rooms, which are basically furnished and are around a large central bar. TVs were on, as staff and customers eagerly awaited news of the latest Coronavirus restrictions.

Bombardier & Landlord were the only real ales which was very disappointing considering this place was the only pub in Bicester making it to the 2020 Good Beer Guide.

On 13^th October 2020 - rating: 4
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Quinno _ left this review about The Bell

A former Hobgoblin and you can tell. Internally it’s two long narrow rooms in a rectangle round an island bar. The left side had pool and pinball. The right side is the ‘rock’ part of the pub - flagstone floor, undressed rough stone, dark and a general dingy music vibe including the jukebox. Decent rear garden. Friendly locals in situ. Live music advertised. Three pumps with three ales on; Wye Valley HPA (warm and sweetcorn tasting), Hobgoblin and Box Steam Sandcaskale (fine), both served in a Guinness glass. It was worth looking in but I expected more on the beer quality and attention front given it’s GBG listed. 6.5

On 29^th October 2017 - rating: 6
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]

View more reviews of The Bell (6)

External web links for The Bell

Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.